Toviklin
Commune and city in Kouffo Department, Benin
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Toviklin [tɔ.vi.klɛ̃] is a town, arrondissement, and commune in the Kouffo Department of south-western Benin. The commune covers an area of 120 square kilometres and as of 2013 had a population of 88,611 people.[1][2]
Toviklin | |
|---|---|
 Toviklin Location in Benin | |
| Coordinates: 6°50′N 1°49′E | |
| Country |  Benin |
| Department | Kouffo Department |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Rigobert TOZO |
| Area | |
• Total | 46 sq mi (120 km2) |
| Population (2013) | |
• Total | 88,611 |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (WAT) |
Geography
Toviklin is located in the northern part of the Kouffo Department, between the communes of Lalo to the north and west, Dogbo to the south, and Klouékanmè to the east. [3]
The commune is characterized by a gently undulating landscape typical of southern Benin's plateau region, with lateritic soils and low-lying bas-fonds supporting agriculture. Rainfall is seasonal, with a longer rainy season enabling the cultivation of several staple and cash crops.
Administration
Toviklin is one of the six communes of the Kouffo Department. The commune is subdivided into six arrondissements: Toviklin, Avamè, Houédogli, Kpétou, Missinko, and Tannou-Gola. [4] Each arrondissement is further divided into villages and urban districts, forming the basic administrative units recognized at the local government level.
Demographics
According to the 2013 census (RGPH-4), Toviklin had a population of 88,611 inhabitants, with a sex ratio showing a slight majority of women. [5]
The population is primarily composed of Adja groups, along with minorities of Fon and other southern Beninese ethnicities. The commune reports high levels of rurality, with most households involved in subsistence or small-scale commercial agriculture.
Economy
Agriculture is the dominant activity in Toviklin. The region produces:
- maize
- cassava
- groundnuts
- vegetables cultivated in bas-fonds
- palm oil (significant local production)
Local economic studies show that Toviklin has a high proportion of households working in informal trade and agriculture, with women actively involved in processing and selling cassava products such as gari and tapioca. [6]
Education and Social Indicators
School attendance in Toviklin is slightly below the departmental average, with literacy indicators particularly low among adults. [7] The population is relatively young, with more than half of the inhabitants under the age of 20, and fertility rates remain high in rural areas of the commune.
Culture
Toviklin is culturally linked to the Adja traditions of southern Benin. The commune hosts local festivals, traditional dances, and ceremonies associated with agricultural cycles. Palm-wine tapping and production remain deeply rooted cultural and economic practices.
Transport
Toviklin is connected by regional roads that link it to Lalo, Dogbo, and Klouékanmè. However, many rural tracks become difficult to traverse during the rainy season, affecting the transport of agricultural goods to markets.
